Economic development champs earn Gold Cup awards

Saturday

LAKE WALES - Two businesses were honored Friday as Polk County economic development champions.

The East Polk Committee of 100 held its Annual Meeting and Gold Cup of Industry Awards event at the Lake Ashton Golf Club Ballroom.

Clear Springs Land Company was given the Gold Cup of Industry Award for large business, while Bok Tower Gardens received the award for small organization.

Polk Community College President Eileen Holden also was honored during the meeting, which drew local business leaders and members of greater East Polk community.

Established in 1999, Clear Springs employs 30 people. Within the past year, the company donated $12 million and land to Polk Community College for a new PCC Corporate College.

"We're just thrilled to be in the company of elite group of past companies that have been recognized," said Carol McKenzie, vice president of government relations for Clear Springs.

Terry Atchley, the company's director of operations, accepted the award and said Clear Springs is "excited to be a part of Polk County."

Last year's large business award winner was Bright House Networks.

Bok Tower Gardens received its Gold Cup of Industry Award for small organization from Greg Littleton, president and chief of executive officer of last year's award winner, Citizen's Bank & Trust.

One of Polk County's original tourist attractions, Bok Tower Gardens was established in 1929 and employs 50 people.

Robin Gibson, chairman of the board of directors for Bok Tower Gardens, accepted the award. He said that when economic development brochures are made for Polk County, they usually picture Bok Tower Gardens.

"You don't see pictures of black asphalt," Gibson said.

"Truly, Bok Tower is the visual image that represents what East Polk County is all about," said Kathy Manry, director of development and membership for the attraction. "If you ask most people to imagine East Polk County, Bok Tower would come to a lot of people's minds."

A new award also was presented during the meeting.

The Chairman's Award was presented to the PCC president for her work in the educational community. Tracy Porter, executive director of PCC Foundation, accepted the award on Holden's behalf and thanked the East Polk Committee of 100 for the honor.

The guest speaker was Jan Hargrave, chief executive officer of Jan Hargrave & Associates in Houston, Texas. She described for meeting guests how to read people's body language and uncover the truth in different situations.

During the meeting portion of the event, Jack Barnhart, executive director of EPC 100, revealed the organization's new logo and said a new Web site would be online in about two weeks.

shelly.godefrin@newschief.com

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